[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I think the theory that it’s a pretext to avoid notification requirements is probably the most likely. There must be a lot of marginal stores out of 4500. They can close the marginal stores to stop losing money, and send a message to politicians and employees: if you push us, we can leave.

With their business model, Wal*Mart must have thin margins, it wouldn’t take much to push them into unprofitability in many of their stores.

[Leaning Right]

I think the theory that it’s a pretext to avoid notification requirements is probably the most likely.

I can't believe that. Because if that were so, some smart lawyer would file a lawsuit. And then WalMart would have to try to cover its tracks. They'd have to convince lots of managers to lie under oath, plus provide all sorts of "plumbing" evidence. That would be way too difficult, and very risky.

[iontheball]

With their business model, Wal*Mart must have thin margins, it wouldn’t take much to push them into unprofitability in many of their stores.

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That makes no sense since some of the stores appear to be high volume, vital sales centers in some communities.

[chuckles]

Livingston was NOT a marginal store.